This week, Christians celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. It marks the visit of the Magi (wise men, or ‘three Kings’) from the East to see the child Jesus. As a New Year dawns, how do we feel about the continuing disruption that unique person brought into the world?
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Updates from Whirlow
All We Need is Love / Show, Don't Tell
Christmas is the perfect time to remember that actions speak louder than words. Words, without accompanying actions, are nothing. In this post, we reflect on how love can only be demonstrated through the integrity of our deeds.
Read MoreAs Advent Wraps Up....
Rather than a reflection, this week before Christmas we offer you Tim Watson’s Morning Prayer for those Socially Distancing or in Isolation,
Read MoreWords are cheap
Our society is thirsty for truth: we often fear it has abandoned us as we absorb the speeches of politicians, news media, those with commercial, legal, religious or ideological agenda. This week’s reflection on two bible readings might help us pursue truth.
Read MoreExpecting the Unknown with Mary
On falling pregnant with Jesus, Mary could not have known what to expect. In this reflection, we connect her experience that first Advent with our own journey through this pandemic year.
Read MoreHope in Hardship this Advent
This first week in Advent, that Christian season of anticipation leading up to Christmas, often takes the theme of HOPE. Today, we reflect on what kind of hope and what kind of future we are anticipating.
Read MoreWhen the Going Gets Tough
Faith and religious commitment can provide much comfort, healing and inspiration. In most major world religions, there are also teachings and scriptures that are challenging and hard to digest. In today’s Reflection, we wonder what to do with these, especially when the ‘real’ world is quite difficult enough!
Read MoreDelighted with the Trees
In the Sacred Song from which today’s reflection takes inspiration, the tree is a wonder of nature that human creatures can aspire to imitate. Spend some time reflecting on what a tree might teach you.
Read MoreEveryone is Just Waiting
Few of us predicted that a new virus would dominate 2020. Even here, in the midst of it, it remains hard to accept. This reflection considers how much the year has required us to wait; and what we learn from that.
Read MoreNot Grasping
During a pandemic, it’s natural to feel afraid or anxious. This reflection gives us permission to remember we still have choices: we can choose to remain magnanimous and outward-looking, strengthened by faith, grace and love.
Read MoreWith Sighs Too Deep...
These days, it is easy to be overwhelmed as we watch, listen, or read the news. Countless stressful words and images bombard our minds. Rather than regurgitating that to the next person, this reflection invites us to drop down from our minds into our hearts, exploring our deepest feelings in stillness and silence.
Read MoreDo Not [Be] Disturb[ed]
How do we protect ourselves from anxiety and destructive thinking in these upsetting times? Today’s reflection considers two historic women and that great female teacher, Mother Nature, who might guide us on our way.
Read MoreMissing the Point
Jesus condemns the hypocritical, power-obsessed actions of the legal and religious authorities in today’s story, which leads to their determination to get rid of him. We are invited to consider how his anger might be directed in today’s pandemic-ridden world. Are we brave enough to join him?
Read MoreThe Greatest Thing You'll Ever Learn
Knowing ourselves loved is perhaps the greatest challenge of human existence, made greater by every wound we suffer and inflict on this earth. Today’s Reflection uses an ancient song to draw us back to that sense of our own, wonderful, selves as we exist in the eyes of our Creator.
Read MoreDivine Encounters in Dark, Lonely Places.
Isolation and loneliness are frightening. Ongoing social restrictions make them a reality, for many. Today’s reflection looks at a relevant part of Hebrew scripture that, hopefully, helps bring us fortitude.
Read MoreFamily Matters
The popular phrase Family Comes First can be a helpful ethical steer for humans trying to allocate limited emotional and material resources. In today’s reading from the bible, Jesus appears to turn the notion on its head. In our reflection, we examine the feelings this triggers in us.
Read MoreThe Real You is Fine
It is so easy to be anxious and project it outwards. Today’s reflection is inspired by Christian scripture that reminds us it is our birthright to content with who we are and so project joy, instead.
Read MoreWhat Is Prayer?
When you think of the verb ‘to pray’ what comes to mind? Different people approach this activity in different ways, so don’t be deceived into thinking the answer is obvious! Try writing a definition on paper.
Today’s reflection looks at one of the many occasions in the bible that Jesus went off to pray.
Read MoreWisdom or foolishness?
It is not as easy as it sounds to differentiate wise from foolish action, words and thoughts. Jesus’ describes a deep spiritual wisdom as something that will be mistaken for foolishness by most people. How can we recognise it, when we see it?
Read MoreSpeaking Out and Being Heard
The Church of England has a lectionary of daily readings that often inspire this blog’s Reflections. Recently, a chapter focused on female leadership was omitted from the chronological order. Why did this happen - and what do we have to learn from it?
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